‘Ballerina’ review: Ana de Armas scratches ‘John Wick’ itch

 — The wait for another “John Wick” movie did not take long as spin-off film “Ballerina” offers a future for the franchise with or without Keanu Reeves as the infamous Baba Yaga.

A majority of “Ballerina: From the World of John Wick” takes place between the events of the third and fourth films, while Reeves’ Wick continues to be on the run from the High Table.

While Wick and other familiar faces pop up in “Ballerina,” the film mainly follows Oscar nominee Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro — an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma, just like Wick.

Macarro’s father was killed by a mysterious cult outside of the High Table’s jurisdiction, and years later fate gives the ballerina-assassin a chance at exacting revenge.

The first “John Wick” not only revitalized Reeves’ career but also opened new doors for action movies to be viewed again as real cinema.

The martial arts and gun fights add much excitement, but there is added intrigue about a world of assassins existing beneath our noses.

Each film expanded this universe and the action grew along with it, so in some ways “Ballerina” feels like a hark back to where the franchise was before.

Related: ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ review: When Jackie Chan meets ‘Cobra Kai’

De Armas is a very capable action actress as evident in “No Time to Die,” “The Gray Man,” and fine even “Ghosted,” and the “John Wick” team clearly believes there is potential for de Armas to continue the legacy Reeves will leave.

That being said, “Ballerina” can be forgiven for not being up to par with the sequences of the sequels, though it does have inspiring action scenes of its own.

Reeves doesn’t steal the spotlight from de Armas, nor do returnees Ian McShane, Oscar winner Anjelica Huston, and the late Lance Reddick in his final onscreen role.

Gabriel Byrne delivers the menace fans have seen from the likes of Michael Nyqvist and Riccardo Scamarcio, but more was expected from newcomers Norman Reedus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and another Oscar nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno.

A fifth “John Wick” movie is in development and there is unfinished business involving Rina Sawayama’s Akira, but surely Reeves will one day — like Wick — put the guns down and live a normal life.

“Ballerina” teases there is more to expect from de Armas’ Macarro, but a few more touches are needed to bring it up to the quality of the main franchise.

Getting Chad Stahelski on board for more involvement was the right choice, and surely there is more to explore from the world of “John Wick.”